Gap filler for bed

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the present disclosure, a gap filler is provided for a bed that includes first and second barriers. The gap filler is configured to substantially fill a gap defined between the first and second barriers.

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application SerialNo. 60/125,375 filed Mar. 19, 1999, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to accessories for hospital beds andparticularly to a hospital bed having barriers such as siderails,footboards, and headboards defining gaps therebetween. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to devices configured toclose or fill the gaps defined between the barriers.

It is known to provide beds with foot supporting sections which areextendable and retractable and which may be articulated downwardly, inconjunction with articulation of the head section upwardly, to form achair-type structure. One example of a hospital bed which provides bothof these functions is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,548, which isexpressly incorporated herein by reference. A commercial embodiment of abed incorporating both of these features is sold by Hill-Rom, Inc.,Batesville, Ind. under the brand name The TotalCare® Bed System.

When the foot section of the bed is retracted, a footboard coupled tothe foot section approaches both the heel of the patient and a foot endsiderail. The gap between the foot end siderail and the footboarddecreases as the foot section is retracted. The footboard is constructedof rigid materials which and is eventually brought into direct contactwith the patients' feet.

According to the present invention, a bed is provided including abedframe, a mattress positioned on the bedframe, a first barrier coupledto the bedframe, and a second barrier coupled to the bedframe. The firstand second barriers cooperate to define a gap therebetween. The bedfurther includes a gap filler coupled to the bedframe to extend betweenthe first and second barriers to substantially fill the gap definedtherebetween.

According to alternative embodiments of the present invention, a bed isprovided having a siderail coupled to a bedframe, a board coupled to oneof head and foot end of the bedframe, and a gap filler coupled to theboard to substantially fill a gap defined between the siderail and theboard. The gap filler has an innermost surface facing the mattress andan outermost surface facing the siderail. The innermost and outermostsurfaces are positioned between the siderail and the mattress. The gapfiller further includes an upper portion and a lower portion positionedto slide relative to the mattress. The gap filler further includes arigid frame and a cover positioned over the rigid frame.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present invention, abed is provided having a bedframe, a board coupled to one of the footand head ends of the bedframe, a right siderail coupled to the bedframe,a left siderail coupled to the bedframe, and a mattress positioned onthe bedframe. The bed further includes a gap filler including first andsecond barriers. The first barrier is positioned to extend between theright siderail and the board to substantially fill a gap definedtherebetween. The second barrier is positioned to extend between theleft siderail and the board to substantially fill a gap definedtherebetween. The gap filler further includes a web coupled to the firstand second barriers. The board is positioned between the right and leftbarriers. Each barrier includes a straight panel sized to extend betweenthe siderail and the board to substantially fill the gap definedtherebetween and a curved panel coupled to the generally straight panel.

Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hospital bed showing the hospital bedincluding a bedframe and a mattress positioned on the bedframe, thebedframe including an intermediate frame and an articulating deck, thebed further including a pair of head end siderails coupled to thebedframe, a pair of foot end siderails coupled to the bedframe, and agap filler extending between the footboard and the foot end siderail;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gap filler and a portion of the deckshowing the gap filler including a pair of barriers and a web extendingbetween the barriers and each barrier including a frame having astraight and curved panels and a post configured to fit within a socketformed in the deck, a layer of foam positioned over the panels, a coverpositioned over the layer of foam, and a pair of tabs havinghook-and-loop type fasteners coupled to the cover;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a foot end of the hospital bed showingthe deck including a retractable foot section in a retracted positionwith the barriers positioned between the foot end siderails and themattress;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the retractable foot sectionin an extended position and one of the barriers removed from therespective pocket of the deck so that the barriers is supported by theweb to hang below the mattress;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the foot end of the hospital bed showingthe retractable foot section in the extended position, the foot sectionin the retracted position (in phantom), and the barriers of the gapfiller sliding in a space defined between the siderail and mattress;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hospital bed of FIG. 1 showing thehospital bed in a chair configuration;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the footboard removed fromthe hospital bed;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the gap filler showing the gap fillerremoved from the frame and the tabs having the hook-and-loop typefasteners coupled together to hold the barriers adjacent one another;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9—9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment gap fillerincluding a pair of barriers coupled to handles of the footboard bystraps with the barriers extending between the footboard and foot endsiderails to close the gap therebetween and a footpad coupled to thefootboard by a strap extending between hand holes in the footboard ofthe bed;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11—11 of FIG. 10 showingthe foot section in the extended position;

FIG. 12 is view similar to FIG. 11 showing the foot section in theretracted position with a patient's foot contacting the footpad;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the footpad; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one of the barriers of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in FIG. 1, a hospital bed 10 is provided for supporting apatient (not shown). Hospital bed 10 includes a bedframe 12 and amattress 14 positioned on top of bedframe 12. Bedframe 12 includes ahead end 15, a foot end 17, a base frame 19, an intermediate frame 16coupled to base frame 19, an articulating deck 18 coupled tointermediate frame 16, and several barriers such as two pair of head andfoot end siderails 20, 22 coupled to intermediate frame 16, a footboard24 coupled to deck 18, and a headboard (not shown) coupled to head end17. As shown in FIG. 5, footboard 24 and foot end siderails 22 cooperateto define a pair of gaps 26, 28 therebetween. According to the presentdisclosure, hospital bed 10 further includes a gap filler 30, as shownin FIG. 1, that extends between footboard 24 and foot end siderails 22to substantially fill in gaps 26, 28 and block movement of a patientfrom a foot end 32 of hospital bed 10.

Siderails 20, 22 are pivotably coupled to intermediate frame 16 so thata caregiver may raise and lower siderails 20, 22 to permit a patient 34to enter and leave bed 10. Deck 18 includes a head section 36, a seatsection 38 pivotably coupled to head section 36, and a foot section 40pivotably coupled to seat section 38. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, deck 18is configured to move from a bed position, as shown in FIG. 1, to achair configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, where foot section 40 dropsbelow seat section 38.

Foot section 40 is also retractable. As shown in FIG. 5, foot section 40moves from an extended position having an extended length 42 to aretracted position having a retracted length 44 that is less thanextended length 42. This permits the caregiver to adjust the overalllength of bed 10 in either the bed position or the chair position.Additional features and the operation of beds having retractable footsections are explained in co-pending U.S. Utility patent applicationSer. No. 09/120,125, filed Jul. 22, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,714and in Weismiller et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,548, issued Feb. 10, 1998,the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Patients often do not have full control of their extremities orfaculties. As a result, a patient's leg or other body part may move to aposition extending off of the surface of mattress 14 through gaps 26,28. To block this movement, gap filler 30, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5is provided for hospital bed 10 to prevent a patient's body part fromextending off of the surface of mattress 14. According to alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure, the gap filler extends betweenthe head end siderail and the headboard to block the gap definedtherebetween.

Gap filler 30 includes a right barrier 46, a left barrier 48, and a web50 extending between right and left barriers 46, 48 as shown in FIG. 2.Right barrier 46 extends from footboard 24 to right siderail 22 to fillgap 26 as shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, left barrier 48 extends fromfootboard 24 to left siderail 22 to fill gap 28.

As shown in FIG. 2, left barrier 48 includes a frame 51 having aplate-like spine 52 and a post 54 coupled to spine 52. Similarly, rightbarrier 46 includes a frame 55 having a plate-like spine 56 and a post58 coupled to spine 56. Spines 52, 56 and posts 54, 58 are preferablymade of aluminum. According to alternative embodiments, other rigid orsemi-rigid materials are used for the spines and posts such as othermetals or plastics materials. As shown in FIG. 2, each spine 52, 56includes a series of apertures 59 to reduce the overall weight ofbarriers 46, 48. Each barrier 46, 48 further includes a cover 61 havinga layer of resilient material 60, such as foam, positioned over therespective spines 52, 56 for padding and a sheath 62 covering therespective layer of resilient material 60.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, bedframe 12 includes a pair of nodes 64coupled to foot section 40 of deck 18. Each node 64 includes a socket 66sized to receive an IV pole (not shown). Posts 54, 58 are sized to fitin sockets 66 to couple right and left barriers 46, 48 to foot section40 of deck 18. When posts 54, 58 are positioned in sockets 66,respective spines 52, 56 are cantilevered from posts 54, 56 to extendbetween foot board 24 and siderails 22 as shown, for example, in FIG. 3.

A caregiver may temporarily move barriers 46, 48 from blocking gaps 26,28 to permit a patient to exit hospital bed 10. When gap filler 30 ispositioned on hospital bed 10, web 50 is positioned on deck 18 so thatmattress 14 is positioned on top of web 50. If posts 54, 58 are removedfrom the respective sockets 66, each respective barrier 46, 48 will hangbelow the upper support surface of mattress 14 as shown in FIG. 4. Thus,each barrier 46, 48 is hingedly coupled to deck 18 of bedframe 12 by web50 to pivot in direction 65 about a horizontal axis 73. This permits thecaregiver to move respective barriers 46, 48 from a blocking positionfilling gaps 26, 28, as shown in FIG. 3, to an unblocking position, asshown in FIG. 4, permitting a patient to exit hospital bed 10.

When barriers 46, 48 are coupled to bedframe 12 and web 50 is positionedunder mattress 14, web 50 prevents a patient from pushing barriers 46,48 outwardly opening gaps 26, 28. Web 50 is substantially taut whenpositioned under mattress 14 as shown, for example, in FIG. 2. Becauseweb 50 is taut, any outward movement of one of barriers 46, 48 urges theother respective barrier 46, 48 inwardly. However, mattress 14 blocksany substantial inward movement of the other respective barrier 48, 46and because web 50 is taut, web 50 prevents any substantial outwardmovement of the respective barrier 46, 48. Thus, when gap filler 30 ispositioned on bed 10, a patient cannot swing barriers 46, 48 outwardlyto open gaps 26, 28 to exit.

When foot end siderails 22 are in an up position, as shown in FIG. 1,they also prevent a patient from swinging barriers 46, 48 outwardly. Asshown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, each barrier 46, 48 includes an upperportion 67 and a lower portion 69 positioned between the respective footend siderail 22 and mattress 14. As shown in FIG. 5, mattress 14includes an upper support surface 71 and a pair of outer surfaces 68.Foot end siderails 22 each include an inner surface 70. Mattress 15 isstepped so that outer surfaces 68 and respective inner surfaces 70cooperate to define right and left spaces 72, 74 in which lower portions69 of respective right and left barriers 46, 48 are positioned duringnormal use as shown in FIG. 5.

Right and left barriers 46, 48 include innermost surfaces 76, 78 andoutermost surfaces 80, 82. If a patient attempts to swing either barrier46, 48 outwardly when respective foot end siderails 22 are in the upposition, outermost surfaces 80, 82 will strike inner surface 70 of therespective foot end siderail 22. Thus, when foot end siderails 22 are inthe up position, they block any outward movement of barriers 46, 48.

Mattress 14 blocks inward movement of barriers 46, 48 to prevent apatient from pulling barriers 46, 48 inwardly to open gaps 26, 28. Ifbarriers 46, 48 are pulled inwardly, innermost surfaces 76, 78 ofbarriers 46, 48 strike outer surfaces 68 of mattress 14. Thus, anysubstantial inward movement of barriers 46, 48 is blocked so that gaps26, 28 remain blocked.

Barriers 46, 48 are positioned on hospital bed 10 so that gaps 26, 28remain blocked when foot section 40 is retracted and extended. As shownin FIG. 5, outer surfaces 68 of mattress 14 taper at angled portions 84so that right and left spaces 72, 74 are also tapered. As foot section40 retracts, lower portions 69 of barriers 46, 48 slide in right andleft spaces 72, 74 relative foot end siderails 22 and mattress 14 towardrespective angled portions 84. Because right and left spaces 72, 74 areprovided, less resistance to the movement of barriers 46, 48 occurs andgaps 26, 28 remain blocked. Sliding of barriers 46, 48 relative tomattress 14 and foot end siderails 22, also permits hospital bed 10 tomove to a reclined chair position, as shown in FIG. 3, with littleresistance from gap filler 30. According to alternative embodiments ofthe present disclosure, mattresses of other configuration are used withthe gap filler including mattresses without spaces between the siderailand mattress.

Barriers 46, 48 are also configured to avoid interference with bedframecomponents and the patient as foot section 40 is retracted. As shown inFIG. 3, foot end siderails 22 include a rail member 86 and a linkagemechanism 88 coupling rail member 86 to intermediate frame 16. Barriers46, 48 are chamfered to avoid contact with linkage mechanism 88 as theyslide forward in spaces 72, 74.

As shown in FIG. 2, each barrier 46, 48 includes a generally straightpanel 90, 92 and a curved panel 94, 96 coupled to respective straightpanels 90, 92 and respective posts 54, 58. Straight panels 90, 92 andcurved panels 94, 96 are defined by respective spines 54, 56, layers ofresilient material 60, and sheaths 62. Each curved panel 90, 96 includesa first and second spaced-apart vertical edges 97, 99. Respective firstvertical edges 97 are coupled to straight panels 90, 92 and respectivesecond vertical edges 99 are coupled to posts 54, 56.

As shown in FIG. 2, each straight panel 90, 92 includes a top edge 110,a bottom edge 112 a substantially vertical edge 118, a top chamferededge 122 extending from respective vertical edges 118 to respective topedges 110, and a bottom chamfered edge 126 extending from respectivevertical edges 118 to respective bottom edges 112. Chamfered edges 122,126 are preferably angled at 45° relative to respective vertical edges118. According to alternative embodiments, the chamfered edges taper atother angles relative to the vertical edge or are rounded. According toyet another alternative embodiment, the chamfered edges and the verticaledges cooperate to define a rounded edge.

Bottom chamfered edges 126 provide clearance between each barrier 46, 48and linkage mechanism 88 to permit gap filler 30 to avoid striking footend siderails 22. As barriers 46, 48 move forward during retraction offoot section 40, bottom chamfered edges 126 move over linkage mechanism88 to avoid interference between barriers 46, 48 and foot end siderails22. Thus, by tapering barriers 46, 48, additional travel of barriers 46,48 relative to foot end siderails 22 is provided without interference.

As previously mentioned, bedframe 12 is configured to move between thebed position, as shown in FIG. 1, and the chair position as shown inFIG. 6. When in the chair position, barriers 46, 48 move to a verticalorientation. When in the vertical position, barriers 46, 48 continue tofill gaps 26, 28 as shown in FIG. 6.

Footboard 24 is removable from foot section 40 as shown in FIG. 7. Whenfootboard 24 is removed, a patient seated in hospital bed 10 may standup from a seated position. As shown in FIG. 3, footboard 24 includes abase 128 removably coupled to foot section 40 of deck 18 and a pair ofhandles 130 coupled to base 128. Base 128 and handles 130 cooperate todefine a pair of hand holes 132 therebetween.

Base 128 includes a substantially planar middle section 129 and twoarcuate end sections 131. Middle section 129 includes a first verticalsurface 134 facing toward mattress 14, a second vertical surface 136facing away from vertical surface 134, a top edge 138, and a bottom edge140. Arcuate end sections 131 include a pair of vertical edges 142extending from top edge 136 to bottom edge 138.

Vertical edges 142 of footboard 24 are positioned between and adjacentto the respective curved panels 94, 96 of barriers 46, 48. The curvatureprovided by curved panels 94, 96 permits posts 54, 58 to fit withinsockets 66 and barriers 46, 48 to wrap around edges 142 of footboard 24.This also provides clearance between curved panels 94, 96 and footboard24. This clearance facilitates a caregiver in removing footboard 24 fromfoot section 40 of deck 18 with little or no interference with barriers46, 48 so that a patient's feet may reach the floor when assuming thestanding position.

Gap filler 30 is also removable from hospital bed 10. To remove gapfiller 30 from hospital bed 10, a caregiver removes posts 54, 58 fromsockets 66 as shown in FIG. 2. The caregiver then folds a foot end ofmattress 14 toward a head end of hospital bed 10 and web 50 isaccessible so that gap filler 30 can be removed from foot section 40 ofdeck 18.

After removal, a caregiver can fold gap filler 30 into to a compact sizefor storage as shown in FIG. 8. To fold gap filler 30 to the storageposition, the caregiver folds barriers 46, 48 inwardly so that innermostsurfaces 76, 78 lie against web 50. Then the caregiver folds barriers46, 48 inwardly again so that outermost surfaces 80, 82 are adjacent oneanother as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Gap filler 30 further includes a pairof tabs 144, 146 coupled to sheaths 62 of respective barriers 46, 48.Coupled to tabs 144, 146 are Velcro-brand hook-and-loop fasteners thatcouple to one another to couple barriers 46, 48 together in the storageposition. Tabs 144, 146 cooperate to define a handle 143 to facilitatecarrying gap filler 30 when removed from bed 10.

When in the storage position, barriers 46, 48 are positioned adjacent toone another and web 50 is positioned around left and right barriers 46,48. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each barrier has a length 145, a width147, and a thickness 151. As shown in FIG. 9, right and left barriers46, 48 cooperate to define a space 153 therebetween having a width 157.Web 50 has a length 159 (shown best in FIG. 2) approximately equal tothe sum of widths 147 and thicknesses 151 of barriers 46, 48 and width157 of space 153 so that web 50 wraps around left and right barriers 46,48. According to alternative embodiments, the barriers lie substantiallyflat together when in the storage position so that a space definedtherebetween is very small having a width that is also very small.

When foot supporting section 40 of bed 10 is retracted, it is typicallyretracted until rigid footboard 24 comes into contact with the patient'soutstretched feet. During retraction heel portion 46 of the air mattresssection is often deflated, as shown, for example, in FIG. 12, to relievestress on the patient's heel. To minimize any discomfort resulting fromcontact of footboard 24 with the patient's outstretched feet, a footpad148 is attached to patient-facing side 134 of footboard 24. Footpad 148in accordance with the present disclosure includes a cushion 149 andstraps 152, 154 for attaching cushion 149 to footboard 24 of bed 10. Asshown in FIG. 13, cushion 149 includes a cover 150 having externaldimensions sized to be received on footboard 24 and an internalcompressible filler 155. The described footpad 148 is specificallyconfigured for use with the commercial version of the TotalCare® BedSystem, but it is to be understood that other configurations of footpadsadapted for use with other beds having retractable foot supportingsections are within the teaching of the disclosure.

Cover 150 of footpad 148 is formed from a suitable material such asPENN-NYLA material, a water impermeable material. As shown in FIG. 13,cover 150 is a substantially rectangular box shape and includes afoot-engaging surface 156, a footboard-engaging surface 158, a left sidewall 160, a right side wall 162, a bottom side wall 164, and a top sidewall 166. Each side wall 162, 160, 164, 166 extends betweenfoot-engaging surface 156 and footboard-engaging surface 158 to formcover 150 having an interior. Foot-engaging surface 156 andfootboard-engaging surface 158 of cover 150 are both rectangular. Cover150 may be formed from multiple panels or from an appropriatelyconfigured single panel.

In the illustrated embodiment seams 168 are formed between left sidewall 160 and top side wall 166, left side wall 160 andfootboard-engaging surface 158, top side wall 166 and footboard-engagingsurface 158, right side wall 162 and footboard-engaging surface 158,right side wall 162 and top side wall 166, right side wall 162 andbottom side wall 164, bottom side wall 164 and footboard-engagingsurface 158, and bottom side wall 164 and left side wall 160. Each ofthese seams 168, with the exception of seam 170 between left side 160wall and footboard-engaging surface 158 are formed by Ultrasonic weldingthe material forming the panels. Seam 170 between left side wall 160 andfootboard-engaging surface 158 is not initially welded to facilitateinsertion of filler 155 and attachment of tags 148. Initially seam 170is left open providing an opening to the interior of cover 150.

In the illustrated embodiment internal compressible filler 155 is formedfrom a single block of compressible foam material. A fire barrier, notillustrated is positioned between the foam material block and the cover.During assembly all of seams 168 of cover 150 are ultrasonic welded asdescribed above leaving an opening along the length of seam 170 betweenleft side wall 160 and footboard-engaging surface 158. Internalcompressible filler block 110 is compressed and inserted through theopening and manipulated to expand to fill the interior of cover 150.Required tags 148 are then inserted in length of seam 170 between leftside wall 160 and footboard-engaging surface 158 and length of seam 170is sewn shut.

Footpad 148 also includes straps 152, 154 having buckle 174 tofacilitate attachment of footpad 148 to footboard. Both straps 152, 154have a first end 176 and a second end 178. Illustratively both straps152, 154 are formed of penn-nyla. First end 176 of strap 152 isultrasonic welded to right side of footboard-engaging surface 158. Firstend 176 of strap 154 is ultrasonic welded to left side offootboard-engaging surface 158. Buckle 174 is slid past second end 178of strap 154 to be received on strap 154 which is then folded over upon,and RF welded to, itself to secure buckle 174 to strap 154.

To attach footpad 148 to footboard 24, footboard-engaging surface 158 isplaced against patient-facing side 102 of footboard 24. Strap 152 isthen inserted through one hand hole 132 and strap 154 is insertedthrough the other hand hole 132. Second end 178 of strap 152 is insertedthrough buckle 174 on strap 154 and pulled taut to secure footpad 148 tofootboard 138.

An alternative embodiment gap filler 210 is shown in FIGS. 10-12 and 14.Gap filler 210 includes a pair of barriers 212, 214 and straps 216coupling barriers 212, 214 to footboard 24. Strap 216 includesconnectors 222 for securing gap filler 210 to footboard 24. Each barrier212, 214 includes a cover 218 and a resilient compressible filler 220positioned within cover 218.

Cover 218 is formed to include a patient-facing surface 226 and a spacedapart substantially parallel rail-facing surface 224. As shown in FIG.14, a top surface 228, a bottom surface 230, and an end surface 232extend substantially perpendicularly between patient-facing surface 226and rail-facing surface 224. Cover 218 also includes an inclined wall234 extending between patient-facing surface 226 and rail-facing surface224 to form a footboard-engaging wedge 236. Inclined surface 234 joinspatient-facing surface 226 at an acute angle, as shown, for example, inFIG. 14. Illustratively cover 218 is formed from penn-nyla material andmay be formed from properly configured single or multi-panelsappropriately joined together in the shape shown in FIG. 14.

Illustratively compressible filler 220 is formed from a single block offoam material and is sized to fit within the interior of cover 218.Filler 220 of gap filler 210 is stiffer than foam material used forfiller 155 in footpad 148. This additional stiffness is the result ofthe use of less compressible foam or thicker foam in forming gap filler210 as compared to footpad 148.

Strap 216 is attached to seam 238 formed between inclined surface 234and patient-facing surface 226. Strap 216 is sized to wrap around anouter portion 240 of handle 130 formed in blow molded footboard 24 asshown, for example, in FIG. 10. Strap 216 includes connectors 222, suchas snaps, so that connectors 222 can be joined after strap 216 iswrapped around handle 130 to secure gap filler 210 to footboard 24.

It should be understood that gap filler 210 described herein isspecifically configured for use with the commercial version of theTotalCare® Bed System, but that barriers configured for other bedshaving retractable or non-retractable foot sections are within theteachings of the disclosure. According to alternative embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the gap filler extends between the head end siderailand the headboard.

When attached to bed 10, bottom surface 230 of gap filler 210 rests uponfoot section 242 of mattress 14, the portion of rail-facing surface 224near end wall 232 abuts patient-facing side 244 of foot end siderail 22,and wedge 236 abuts footboard 24. When retractable foot section 40 ofbed 10 is fully extended, gap filler 210 extends between footboard 24and foot end siderail 22 to close gaps 26, 28 therebetween as shown, forexample, in FIGS. 10-12. As foot section 40 is retracted, bottom surface230 of gap filler 210 slides along mattress 14 in the direction of arrow246 in FIG. 11 more of rail-facing surface 224 near end wall 232 of gapfiller 210 abuts siderail 22 as end wall 232 is pushed toward the headof bed 10. As foot section 40 of bed 10 is extended bottom surface 230of gap filler 210 slides along mattress 14 in the direction of arrow 248in FIG. 12 to return to the position shown in FIG. 10. Thus, gap filler210 closes gaps 26, 28 between foot end siderails 22 and footboard 24while retractable foot section 40 is in both the extended and retractedpositions without inhibiting extension or retraction of foot section 40of bed 10.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference topreferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within thescope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for filling a gap in a bed, the methodincluding the steps of providing a bed including a bedframe, a mattresspositioned on the bedframe, a first barrier coupled to the bedframe, anda second barrier coupled to the bedframe, the first and second barrierscooperating to define a gap therebetween, providing a gap filler, andcoupling the gap filler to the bedframe to extend between the first andsecond barriers to substantially fill the gap defined therebetween. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the bedframe includes a socket, the gapfiller includes a barrier having a post sized to fit in the socket ofthe bedframe.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the socket is sized toreceive an IV pole.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the bedframefurther includes a deck supporting the mattress and a node coupled tothe deck and the node defines the socket.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the gap filler is pivotably coupled to the bedframe.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the gap filler is configured to pivot about ahorizontal axis of rotation.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thebedframe includes a deck, the mattress is positioned on the deck, thedeck includes a retractable foot section movable between a retractedposition having a first length and an extended position having a secondlength greater than the first length, and the gap filler is coupled tothe retractable foot section.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein bedframeincludes a deck having a seat section and a foot section configured todrop below the seat section to position the deck in a chairconfiguration, and the gap filler is coupled to the foot section.
 9. Abed comprising a bedframe, a mattress positioned on the bedframe, aboard coupled to one of the head and foot ends of the bedframe, theboard including a base having a vertical edge, a barrier coupled to thebedframe, the board and barrier cooperating to define a gaptherebetween, and a gap filler coupled to the bedframe to extend betweenthe board and barrier to substantially fill the gap definedtherebetween, the gap filler including a curved panel and a generallystraight panel coupled to the curved panel, and the curved panel ispositioned adjacent to the vertical edge of the base of the board.
 10. Abed comprising a bedframe, a mattress positioned on the bedframe, asiderail coupled to the bedframe, a board coupled to the bedframe, thesiderail and the board cooperating to define a gap therebetween, and agap filler coupled to the bedframe and positioned to extend between thesiderail and the board to substantially fill the gap definedtherebetween, the gap filler having an innermost surface facing themattress and an outermost surface facing the siderail, the innermost andoutermost surfaces being positioned between the siderail and themattress.
 11. The bed of claim 10, wherein the mattress and the siderailcooperate to define a space therebetween and the gap filler ispositioned in the space.
 12. The bed of claim 10, wherein the bedframeincludes a deck having a section movable relative to the siderailbetween first and second positions, the outermost surface of the gapfiller moves relative to the siderail due to movement of the section ofthe deck.
 13. The bed of claim 10, wherein the siderail is positioned toblock outward movement of the gap filler away from the mattress.
 14. Abed comprising a bedframe, a mattress positioned on the bedframe, afirst barrier coupled to the bedframe, a second barrier coupled to thebedframe, the first and second barriers cooperating to define a gaptherebetween, and a gap filler positioned to extend between the firstand second barriers to substantially fill the gap defined therebetween,the gap filler including an upper portion and a lower portion positionedto slide relative to the mattress.
 15. The bed of claim 14, wherein thebedframe includes a deck having a retractable foot section movablebetween a retracted position having a first length and an extendedposition having a second length greater than the first length, and thelower portion of the gap filler slides relative to the mattress duringmovement of the retractable foot section between the retracted andextended positions.
 16. The bed of claim 15, wherein the mattress andthe first barrier cooperate to define a space therebetween and the lowerportion of the gap filler slides in the space during movement of theretractable foot section between the retracted and extended positions.17. The bed of claim 16, wherein the space defined by the mattress andsiderail is tapered.
 18. The bed of claim 15, wherein the second barrieris a footboard coupled to the retractable foot section of the deck andthe bed further comprises a footpad coupled to the footboard.
 19. Thebed of claim 14, wherein the upper portion of the gap filler ispositioned above an upper surface of the mattress and the lower portionof the gap filler is positioned below the upper surface of the mattress.20. The bed of claim 14, wherein the gap filler includes a top edge, abottom edge spaced apart from the top edge, and a chamfered edgepositioned between the top edge and the bottom edge.
 21. The bed ofclaim 20, wherein the barrier further includes a vertical edgepositioned between the top edge and the bottom edge and the chamferededge is positioned between the vertical edge and the top edge.
 22. Thebed of claim 20, wherein the gap filler further includes a vertical edgepositioned between the top edge and the bottom edge and the chamferededge is positioned between the vertical edge and the bottom edge. 23.The bed of claim 22, wherein the barrier further includes anotherchamfered edge positioned between the vertical edge and the top edge.24. A bed comprising a bedframe, a mattress positioned on the bedframe,a first barrier coupled to the bedframe, a second barrier coupled to thebedframe, the first and second barriers cooperating to define a gaptherebetween, and a gap filler positioned to extend between the firstand second barriers to substantially fill the gap defined therebetween,the gap filler including a rigid frame and a cover positioned over therigid frame.
 25. The bed of claim 24, wherein the gap filler ispositioned between the mattress and the first barrier.
 26. The bed ofclaim 24, wherein the cover includes a layer of padding positioned overthe rigid frame and a sheath positioned over the layer of padding.
 27. Abed comprising a bedframe including a deck having a seat section and afoot section, the deck being configured to move between a bed positionwith the foot section substantially horizontal and a chair position witha foot end of the foot section dropped below the seat section of thedeck, a mattress positioned on the deck, a siderail coupled to thebedframe, a footboard coupled to the deck, the siderail and footboardcooperate to define a gap therebetween, and a gap filler positioned tosubstantially fill the gap and move with the foot section of the deckduring movement of the deck between the bed and chair positions.
 28. Thebed of claim 27, wherein the gap filler is coupled to the footboard. 29.The bed of claim 27, wherein the gap filler is coupled to the footsection of the deck.
 30. The bed of claim 21, wherein the gap filler ispositioned on the foot section of the deck.
 31. The bed of claim 27,wherein the gap filler extends from the footboard to the siderail whenthe deck is in the chair position.
 32. The bed of claim 27, wherein thegap filler is in a substantially vertical position when the deck is inthe chair position.
 33. The bed of claim 27, wherein the footboard isremovable from the deck and the gap filler is coupled to the bedframewhen the footboard is removed.
 34. The bed of claim 27, wherein thesiderail is configured to move between a raised position blocking egressof a patient and a lowered position permitting egress of the patient.35. The bed of claim 27, wherein the gap filler overlaps with thesiderail.
 36. A bed comprising a bedframe including a deck having aretractable section movable between a retracted position having a firstlength and an extended position having a second length greater thanfirst length, a mattress positioned on the deck, a siderail coupled tothe bedframe, a board coupled to the retractable section of the deck,the siderail and board cooperate to define a gap therebetween, and a gapfiller positioned to substantially fill the gap and move with theretractable section of the deck during movement of the retractablesection between the retracted and extended positions.
 37. The bed ofclaim 36, wherein the gap filler is coupled to the board.
 38. The bed ofclaim 36, wherein the gap filler is coupled to the retractable sectionof the deck.
 39. The bed of claim 36, wherein the gap filler ispositioned on the retractable section of the deck.
 40. The bed of claim36, wherein the gap filler extends from the board to the siderail whenthe retractable section of the deck is in the extended and retractedpositions.
 41. The bed of claim 36, wherein the siderail is configuredto move between a raised position blocking egress of a patient and alowered position permitting egress of the patient.
 42. The bed of claim36, wherein the gap filler overlaps with the siderail.
 43. A gap fillerfor use with a bed including a bedframe having a foot end and a headend, a board coupled to one of the foot and head ends of the bedframe, aright siderail coupled to the bedframe, a left siderail coupled to thebedframe, and a mattress positioned on the bedframe, the gap fillercomprising a substantially rigid right barrier, a substantially rigidleft barrier, the right barrier being positionable to extend between theright siderail and the board to substantially fill a gap definedtherebetween, the left barrier being positionable to extend between theleft siderail and the board to substantially fill a gap definedtherebetween, and a web coupled to the right and left barriers.
 44. Thegap filler of claim 43, wherein the web is positioned between themattress and the bedframe.
 45. The gap filler of claim 43, wherein theright and left barriers are pivotably coupled to the bedframe by theweb.
 46. The gap filler of claim 45, wherein the right and left barrierspivot about horizontal axes.
 47. The gap filler of claim 43, wherein theleft barrier is positioned adjacent to the light barrier and the web ispositioned around the left and right barriers.
 48. The gap filler ofclaim 47, wherein the left barrier has a length, a width, and athickness, the right barrier has a length, a width, and a thickness, theright and left barriers cooperate to define a space therebetween havinga width, and the web has a length approximately equal to the sum of thewidth and thickness of the left barrier, the width and thickness of theright barrier, and the width of the space.
 49. A gap filler for use witha bed including a bedframe having a foot end and a head end, a boardcoupled to one of the foot and head ends of the bedframe, a rightsiderail coupled to the bedframe, a left siderail coupled to thebedframe, and a mattress positioned on the bedframe, the gap fillercomprising a right barrier, a left barrier, the right barrier beingpositionable to extend between the right siderail and the board tosubstantially fill a gap defined therebetween, the left barrier beingpositionable to extend between the left siderail and the board tosubstantially fill a gap defined therebetween, the left barrierincluding a tab configured to couple the left barrier to the rightbarrier when removed from the bedframe, and a web coupled to the rightand left barriers.
 50. A bed comprising a bedframe having a foot end anda head end, a board coupled to one of the foot and head ends of thebedframe, a right siderail coupled to the bedframe, the right siderailand the board cooperating to define a right gap, a left siderail coupledto the bedframe, the left siderail and the board cooperating to define aleft gap, a mattress positioned on the bedframe, and a gap filler havingright and left barriers, the right barrier being positioned tosubstantially fill the right gap, the left barrier being positioned tosubstantially fill the left gap, the board being positioned between theright and left barriers.
 51. The bed of claim 50, wherein the board isremovable.
 52. The bed of claim 50, wherein bedframe includes a deckhaving a seat section and a foot section configured to drop below theseat section to position the deck in a chair configuration, and theright and left barriers are coupled to the foot section.
 53. The bed ofclaim 52, wherein the right and left barriers extend to the right andleft siderails when the deck is in the chair position.
 54. The bed ofclaim 52, wherein the right and left barriers are in a substantiallyvertical orientation when the deck is in the chair configuration.
 55. Agap filler for use with a bed having a bedframe, a siderail coupled tothe bedframe, a board coupled to one of the foot and head ends of thebedframe, and a mattress positioned on the bedframe, the siderailcooperating with the board to define a gap therebetween, the gap fillercomprising a generally straight panel sized to extend between thesiderail and the board to substantially fill the gap definedtherebetween and a curved panel coupled to the generally straight paneland positionable to provide clearance around the board of the bed. 56.The gap filler of claim 55, wherein the straight panel includes a topedge, a bottom edge, and a chamfered edge positioned between the top andbottom edges.
 57. The gap filler of claim 55, wherein the straight panelis elongated.
 58. The gap filer of claim 55, wherein the straight panelis formed to include apertures.
 59. A gap filler for use with a bedhaving a bedframe, a siderail coupled to the bedframe, a board coupledto one of the foot and bead ends of the bedframe, and a mattresspositioned on the bedframe, the siderail cooperating with the board todefine a gap therebetween, the gap filler comprising a generallystraight panel sized to extend between the siderail and the board tosubstantially fill the gap defined therebetween, a curved panel coupledto the generally straight panel, and a post coupled to the curve panel.60. The gap filler claim 59, wherein the curved panel includes a firstvertical edge and a second vertical edge spaced apart from the firstvertical edge, the first vertical edge is coupled to the straight panel,and the post is coupled to the second vertical edge.
 61. A gap fillerfor use with a bed having a bedframe, siderails coupled to the bedframe,a board coupled to one of the foot and head ends of the bedframe, and amattress positioned on the bedframe, the siderails cooperating with theboard to define gaps therebetween, the bedframe being formed to includesockets sized to receive IV poles, the gap filler comprising a barriersized to overlap with one of the siderails and extend between one of thesiderails and the board to substantially fill the gap definedtherebetween and a post coupled to the barrier, the post beingconfigured to be positioned in one of the sockets of the bedframe. 62.The gap filler of claim 61, wherein the barrier is cantilevered from thepost.
 63. A gap filler for use with a bed having a bedframe, siderailscoupled to the bedframe, a board coupled to one of the foot and headends of the bedframe, and a mattress positioned on the bedframe, thesiderails cooperating with the board to define gaps therebetween, thebedframe being formed to include a sockets sized to receive IV poles,the gap filler comprising a barrier sized to extend between one of thesiderails and the board to substantially fill the gap definedtherebetween, the barrier including a generally straight panel and acurved panel coupled to the generally straight panel and a post coupledto the barrier, the post being configured to be positioned in one of thesockets of the bedframe.
 64. A gap filler for use with a bed having abedframe, siderails coupled to the bedframe, a board coupled to one ofthe foot and head ends of the bedframe, and a mattress positioned on thebedframe, the siderails cooperating with the board to define gapstherebetween, the bedframe being formed to include sockets sized toreceive IV poles, the gap filler comprising a first barrier sized toextend between one of the siderails and the board to substantially fillthe gap defined therebetween and a first post coupled to the firstbarrier, the first post being configured to be positioned in one of thesockets of the bedframe, a second barrier sized to extend between one ofthe siderails and the board to substantially fill the gap definedtherebetween, a second post coupled to the second barrier, and a web,the second post being configured to be positioned in one of the socketsof the bedframe and the web being coupled to the barriers.
 65. A gapfiller for use with a bed having a bedframe, siderails coupled to thebedframe, a board coupled to one of the foot and head ends of thebedframe, and a mattress positioned on the bedframe, the siderailscooperating with the board to define gaps therebetween, the gap fillercomprising a first barrier a barrier sized to extend between one of thesiderails and the board to substantially fill the gap definedtherebetween, a second barrier sized to extend between one of thesiderails and the board to substantially fill the gap definedtherebetween, and a handle coupled to at least one of the first andsecond barriers to facilitate carrying the barriers when removed fromthe bed.
 66. A The gap filler of claim 65, wherein the handle includes afirst tab coupled to the first barrier and a second tab coupled to thesecond barrier, the first and second tabs being coupled together whenthe gap filler is removed from the bed and spaced apart when the gapfiller is positioned on the bed.
 67. The gap filler of claim 65, whereinthe handle is coupled to the first and second barriers.
 68. A method offilling a gap on a bed including a bedframe, a mattress positioned onthe bedframe, a first barrier coupled to the bedframe, and a secondbarrier coupled to the bedframe, the first and second barrierscooperating to define a gap therebetween, the method comprising thesteps of providing a gap filler and coupling the gap filler to thebedframe to extend between the first and second barriers tosubstantially fill the gap defined therebetween.
 69. The method of claim68, wherein the gap filler is pivotably coupled to the bedframe.
 70. Themethod of claim 68, wherein the gap filler is configured to pivot abouta horizontal axis of rotation.